After an exciting opening week of the Castle Larger Premier Soccer League, the teams head out for the second week in what promises to be a thrilling weekend.
We take a look at all the matches and predictions of this week’s action.
Yadah FC Vs ZPC Kariba
Matchday two begins on Friday as Yadah FC host ZPC Kariba FC at the National Sports Stadium.
Debutants Yadah FC produced a spirited performance against Harare City last week and they were unfortunate not to collect maximum points but they looked content with their first ever point in the premier league.
They have an exciting squad which looks hungry for success and they will be trying too hard to prove that they are not in the league to add numbers
Prediction
Lack of premier league experience might cost Yadah while complacency from ZPC Kariba might see them being given a surprise. However, ZPC Kariba look like the better side and they will be tipped to win 2-1.
Black Rhino FC Vs Chapungu FC
On Saturday it is a battle of the armed forces as Black Rhinos FC take on Chapungu FC at the National Sports Stadium. Chapungu dominated both matches in their previous encounter in 2014 as they beat Black Rhinos 1-0.
Prediction
Black Rhinos failed to beat 10 men Ngezi Platinum last weekend and they face a stern side in the form of Chapungu. Chapungu have been the better side whenever the two army sides meet and they will be tipped to continue their dominance over their rivals.
A 2-0 win for Chapungu will boost their moral going forward.
Caps United FC Vs Harare City FC
On Sunday, reigning league champions Caps United FC face Harare City FC in a Harare derby at National Sports Stadium. Caps United had the upper hand last season as they edged the Sunshine boys both home and away.
Makepekepe will be looking to put their not so impressive start aside after they were held by the returning Shabani Mine away at Maglas Stadium.
The Lloyd Chitembwe coached side, who only lost once at home last season, will be hoping to continue with their home form by beating the Sunshine Boys who were lucky to escape with a point against debutant Yadah FC after being held to a goalless draw.
Prediction
Caps United look like the better team of the two and they might take the three points. 2-1 in favor of Caps United will be fair.
Bulawayo City FC Vs Chicken Inn FC
In Bulawayo, it’s another derby for Bulawayo City FC when they play against Chicken Inn, a team they beat one nil in both matches last year.
However, if the drumstick boys play the way they did last week when they dispatched hapless Bantu Rovers 5 nil then Bulawayo City have to very worried considering how they outplayed by clinical Highlanders on Sunday.
Prediction
Chicken Inn are looking like the better side of the two. A 3-1 win for them will be good, but a surprise win for Bulawayo City cannot be written off.
FC Platinum Vs Bantu Rovers
In Zvishavane, Bantu Rovers FC are in another difficult fixture. After a 5 nil thumping at the hands of Chicken Inn FC, Bantu Rovers FC face FC Platinum at Maglas Stadium this week.
FC Platinum will be buoyed by their one nil win against Harare giants, Dynamos in match day one. The Norman Mapeza coached side sent early warning shots for a shout at the title. It might be early days, but the way they played against Dembare over the weekend showed that they are a complete side.
Prediction
Anything is possible in football but if Bantu Rovers can escape with a point from Mandava, it will be a miracle. A 3 nil win for Pure Platinum Play is on the cards.
Tsholotsho FC Vs How Mine FC
Following last week’s loss against ZPC Kariba FC, How Mine FC face Tsholotsho FC at Luveve stadium, a team they failed to beat last year. How Mine lost 2-1 to Tsholotsho in week 22 after a one all draw in their first encounter in 2016.
A scoring draw for the two teams might be on the cards but if history is to repeat itself, Tsholotsho will walk with maximum points on a 2-0 aggregate.
Triangle Vs Dynamos
Triangle United FC host Dynamos FC, a side they failed to beat last season as they drew nil all in the first match at Rufaro Stadium and lost 1-0 in the return fixture at Gibbo Stadium.
The Sugarcane boys will however be fancying their chances against a Dynamos side which squandered numerous chances against FC Platinum.
Dembare will be looking to get off the mark in a must win match for them.
Coach Lloyd Mutasa is fully aware that with every dropped point, he is edging closer to the sacking gate.
Prediction
Dynamos go into the match as favourites and a 2-1 win will be a relief for the former champions.
Highlanders FC Vs Shabanie
Highlanders FC face Shabanie Mine FC at Barbourfields. Their last encounter was in 2014 when Highlanders thrashed Shabanie Mine 4-1 at Barbourfields stadium but fell 2-1 in Zvishavane.
However, Bosso got to a brilliant start when they dispatched Bulawayo City two nil.
This time they face the Chinda Boys, who are no pushovers. They held champions Caps United at Maglas and they will be willing to collect some points from one of the big teams in the league.
Prediction
Bosso looks like the better side and they will be tipped to win this one 3-1.
Hwange Vs Ngezi Platinum
Hwange FC and Ngezi Platinum Stars FC face off at Colliery Stadium in a battle of the miners.
The match will be interesting as Ngezi fell 2-0 to Hwange in matchday 3 at Colliery Stadium last year but crushed the miners 3-0 at home.
Ngezi Platinum had to steal a win from subdued Black Rhinos last week and they will be hoping to continue where they left off.
For Chipangano, this will be a match they have to prove they are still a side to be reckoned with.
Prediction
This will be an evenly balanced affair which Ngezi Platinum will however win 2-1.
